Refacing a Fireplace

To begin your refacing project you will want to make sure that you have a good surface if you want to paint or apply any sort of stain to the fireplace. Begin by grabbing a big screwdriver and a hammer and gently chip away any excess mortar that you come across. Make sure that there aren't any bumps in your surface because this will be a pain when trying to paint over it. Once you have your surface you are ready for the next step, choosing to stain or paint the brick.


There are many pros and cons for each method but most people choose to paint their fireplace because it is so simple and allows them the most flexibility. Many great websites have fireplace paint accessories. I personally like a site called Brick-ANew and have used their paint kits on several of my personal projects. Be sure to check out their article on fireplace refacing.


Staining is also an available option when refacing your fireplace but the results can be a little unpredictable. Stain tends to fade over time and can be harder to get the color just right. If you do want to stain though we'll show you some tips to make your refacing project a success.

Painting a brick fireplace is the easiest option for a refacing project so we'll take a look at the way to do that first. For this method you will need to be sure to have a smooth surface as we talked about above, wiping away any dust or mildew that might be on the brick. Once you have a good surface you will be ready to apply the paint. Any 100% acrylic latex paint will work on the brick and you shouldn't be too concerned about buying special high temperature fireplace paint. You will also need a good large brush or roller depending on how big your fireplace is. A pan will also be needed to pour the paint out in. Tape and plastic can also be used to secure any areas that you are concerned about getting paint on. Be wary of this because your paint may splatter and cause some damage if you're not careful.


Begin by mixing the paint and pouring enough to cover the bottom of your pan. Make sure to thoroughly coat your brush and then test out the color of the paint by applying it to a small non-visible area. Allow the paint to fully dry and then you can determine how the final color will look on your brick. After you've determined the paint is going to work apply it in vertical strokes and move your way across the surface of the fireplace. You may want to let your coat dry before applying another one to fill in any areas that you may have missed on the first pass.


Like I said before fireplace painting is one of the easiest options if you are looking for a new look for your brick fireplace. You have many great options when you choose to go the painting route. You can even buy a simple paint refacing kit that will give you all of the materials that you will need for the project. On average this type of refacing will set you back $150-$400 depending on the size of your fireplace and what types of materials that you use.

Refacing a fireplace with stucco is one of the more moderately challenging projects but can look great if done properly. Many people find that this is a little too complicated and often call in a contractor, but this can be done yourself with a little determination and hard work. As before you will want to start with a clean surface so be sure to knock off any extra mortar and wipe off any soot that may be present.

The first step is to brush a PVA concrete bonding agent over the surface which you can pick up at your local hardware store. This will allow the stucco to adhere to the brick as best it can. After this layer has dried then you are ready to apply the actual stucco. Using a stucco mix spread a scratch layer about 1/8" thick over the surface and allow it to dry for 48 hours, misting it with a water bottle occasionally. Once this coat is dry you can apply the final layer of stucco 1/8" up to 1/4" thick and texture it how you see fit. This layer will take another two to three days to dry but looks great when done.

Another solution for refacing your fireplace is to actually cover up the brick. This is generally beyond what a typical homeowner is able to do on their own so you may want to consider calling a home contractor to discuss your options. With this method the contractor will generally hang sheetrock over the fireplace brick which can then be painted just like a regular wall. This is by far the most costly of the refacing options and is moderately labor intensive and time consuming. I would definitely consider one of the methods above before trying to hang sheetrock in your house!

With sheetrock though you can achieve the effect of a real wall for your space if you want to cover parts of your fireplace, just make sure that you meet local code requirements so any sheetrock is not too close to an open flame. Sheetrock is time intensive and costly but can give you a major change and remodel it that is what you are in the market for.

The fireplace mantel often serves as a focal point of your fireplace. Consider changing out the decorations on your mantel to match the season. Darker reds and browns bring up memories of fall, while lighter pastels are a time tested Spring favorite. If you are looking for other tips for your mantel, please take a moment to read my article on fireplace mantel decorating ideas. You can find out about everything from decorating to completely replacing your fireplace mantel. If you are just finishing up a refacing project, there isn't a better time to go ahead and change up the mantel too!